Obituary: Richard Pederson

Services will be held Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. from Rock Valle Lutheran Church of Rural Echo, with burial in the Echo City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, March 16, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m. with prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home in Echo. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the church.

Staff reports

Richard Pederson, 84, formerly of Echo, passed away March 11, 2012, at the Granite Manor in Granite Falls.
Services will be held Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. from Rock Valle Lutheran Church of Rural Echo, with burial in the Echo City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, March 16, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m. with prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home in Echo. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the church.
Richard “Dick” Duane Pederson was born December 25, 1927 in Sioux Agency Township, Echo, son of Melvin P. and Anna Olivia (Hustad) Pederson. He was baptized and confirmed at Rock Valle Lutheran Church in rural Echo. He grew up on the family farm in Sioux Agency Township, attended nearby country school and graduated from Echo High School in 1945. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served two years as a Pharmacists Mate in San Diego and New Orleans. After an honorable discharge, he returned to the Echo area where he worked various jobs. On March 2, 1952, he was united in marriage to Marian June Taylor at Rock Valle Lutheran Church. They made their home in Echo and had four children. Marian passed away on June 12, 1978. He retired from the Echo-Wood Lake School District in December of 1989, after serving 15 years as Head Custodian in Echo. Dick was an avid sports fan and a lifelong Minnesota Twins follower. He enjoyed traveling with his daughters and spending time with family, especially with his grand- children. He had a special love of music and a gift to play the harmonica and concertina. He was a member of American Lutheran Church in Echo until it closed and served as a Boy Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, and church council member. He also served as the Echo City Treasurer for several years. On October 6, 2001 he was united in marriage to Virginia Pederson. They resided in Redwood Falls. Dick moved to the Henry Hill Apartments in Granite Falls in 2005, and resided there until the time of his death.
He is survived by his children: Dave (Karen) of Echo, Dean (Lisa) of Beaumont, Texas, Penny of Eden Prairie and Patti of Eden Prairie; daughter-in-law Jone Pederson of Echo; grandchildren: Jennifer (Matt) Schneringer, Scott (Natalie) Pederson, Kelly (Tony) Legnani, Kristy (Neal) Carlson, Joshua (Jeanne) Theobald, Tara Sheard and Tori Sheard; twelve great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; sister: Margaret Dybsand; brother: Melvin Jr.; and many relatives and friends.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marian; Brothers: Irvin, Arnold, and James: sisters: Adeline, Carol and Beverly.
Sunset Funeral and Cremation Association of Echo and Wabasso are in charge of the arrangements.